Poolsville Sept 24th / 61
Dear Mother,
We are again on picket duty but this time have our knapsacks with us so I can write on paper instead of an old envelope. We returned to camp from the river Monday the 9th expecting to get our pay but have not seen anything of it yet. I borrowed a dollar of Curtis untill we do get it. We came down here last Monday and relieved Co. I. (that is Cousin George’s). It is a very pleasant place for a picket it is on the road between Poolsville and Conrad’s ferry about a mile from the ferry, the ferry is only a culvert under the canal opposite to a place in the river which is fordible. In some places the river and canals are separated by only a narrow bank at others it has quite a wide piece of land which is very fertile and grows some pretty tall corn. On one side of the road where we are is a large grain field (the grain has been out) and we uses’t to drill in it is up hill and down over the hills and fences and through the bushes, loading and firing (in skirmishing we are five paces apart, go through the motions) standing, on our knees, lying down, and on the march. On the highest hill is a constant lookout where we can see over into Virginia quite plain. Across the road are 2 pieces of Artillery which we are here to support + our kitchen we have got an oven made into the bank where we bake our beans pork and potatoes + e it was made by Mr. Gilchrest. We have to go on guard once in about four days. It is pleasanter doing guard duty here than in camp as we do not have to walk our beats and we have a fire to keep warm by. We have to turn out half an hour before day break and remain under arms till sunrise and to keep warm we drill most of the time. It is quite cold here nights and we get a few chestnuts but not many yet. Some of us go hunting most every day and get two or three grey squirrels. Cousin George got some young ones alive which he carried up to camp. The roads here are not very good most every body goes horse back what teams they do have if two or three or four horses or oxen are drove with one rein the driver riding the nigh hind one it looks odd to see them ride their oxen. I would like to have you when you write just say whether you got my letters so that I may know I got a few lines from Julius. Sunday he said he was at Anapolis. I wrote to aunt Lucy and Sarah the 19th Curtis is well but would like to get back home. [?] was driving one of the wagons last I knew. Did you get that picture that I sent to Abby from Kalorama. Col. Griswold is here and is well. Bill is up to camp tending to cooking. I have not heard from Henry Greene since I let Camp Scott. I wish you would speak to him about it and wake him up a little. My health has been good except a cold that I caught on guard which is all night now. The major pays the postage on our letters (which is a good thing for us) till we get paid off. I have strung this out so long that I will leave off here and write more some other time. Good Bye.
from your son, Henry
P.S. You need not say anything to Hen Green as I received a letter from him before I sent this letter to the orderly
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